Buy five bottles@ $119.99 and get one for 50% off= $59.99($599.95+$59.99= $659.94 for six bottles)Notes from the Winemaker:

Carmenère resurfaced in Chile only in 1993, after being believed extinct since phylloxera hit Bordeaux, its original home, around 1880. In Chile, its sole home at the moment, we consider it our "Chilean variety" and call it the "Jurassic Park" grape, returned from extinction.

Montes pioneered the Chilean wine scene by creating super-premium wines, including the Montes Alpha range, and icons such as Montes Alpha M and Montes Folly. Montes also led the way to quality by planting on steep mountain slopes. But Montes, Chile's wine pioneer, also knows when to wait –Aurelio Montes preferred to take his time and develop the Carmenère variety until he was satisfied that it could be a top contender, the very best Montes could possibly produce. It was worth the wait...this new beauty (a blend of 92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot, with 18 months in new French and American oak barrels) is touched by the wings of an angel... a PURPLE ANGEL.

Denomination of Origin:

Purple Angel is a blend of 92% Carmenère and 8% Petit Verdot from the Colchagua Valley. Of this, half of the Carmenère comes from Montes’ La Finca de Apalta estate, bringing sophistication and elegance to the blend (the Petit Verdot also comes from this vineyard). The other half of the Carmenère comes from Montes’ Archangel Estate in Marchigue, adding potency and strength.

Winemaking:

Grapes are carefully hand picked. The clusters go through a grape by grape selection made by hand with a team of 14 people, in which only good fruit is allowed into the tank. During the 18 months of barrel aging in new French oak barrels, the wine is racked 3 times to get rid of lees, and allow some oxygen to interfere in the evolution and maturation of this wine.

When the final blend is made, if the wine is totally clear, and has no microbiological pressure, there is no need for filtration or fining….so the wine goes unfiltered to the bottling process.

What Does It Taste Like?

Purple Angel has an intense purple color with distinctive and delicate hints of chocolate and cigar box aromas. The Carmenère grapes coming from our Apalta estate provide elegance and spiciness along with chocolate, vanilla and tobacco aromas, fruit of the combination of dark fruit flavors.

The Petit Verdot (from Apalta) adds structure and at the same time the wildness of black berries with the Carmenère from Marchigue adding spicy and lively hints to this very special wine.

On the mouth, it is full bodied, with a considerably amount of ripe tannins giving grip and structure to this lovely wine. Mouth filling with a very long finish.

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:"The 2007 Purple Angel is a blend of Carmenere and Petit Verdot that might be the only competition for Terrunyo’s Carmin de Peumo for top Carmenere-based wine in Chile. Purple/black in color, it displays a splendid nose of exotic spices, herbs, lavender, incense, blueberry, and blackberry. Dense, chewy, and opulent on the palate, this is a rich, already complex offering that is meant strictly for pleasure-seekers. Enjoy it from 2013-2022." (12/2010)

91 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine:"Broad and ripe, displaying layers of boysenberry, plum and fig fruit all held together by notes of maduro tobacco, spice cake and smoked applewood. The long, rich finish lets a dark licorice note play out. Drink now through 2011. 2,050 cases imported." –JM (10/15/2010)93+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2006 vintage):"The 2006 Purple Angel is composed of 92% Carmenere and 8% Petit Verdot (an increasingly important blending grape in Chile) aged for 18 months in new French oak before bottling without filtration. Purple/black in color, it has a splendid perfume of toasty oak, pencil lead, incense, sage, blueberry, and blackberry. Layered, bordering on opulent, this full-throttle wine has gobs of fruit, succulent flavors, and a long, pure finish. Cellar it for 5-7 years and drink it from 2015 to 2026. It is another example of just how good Carmenere can be when grown in the right terroir with extended hang-time.

Aurelio Montes remains one of Chile's great innovators and quality leaders. His latest releases are first class from entry level to the top of the portfolio." -Jay Miller (6/2009)

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine (2006 vintage):"The nose of black olive, grilled beef and black fruit is made elegant via a floral perfume, and overall this big-boned Carmenère is beautifully balanced and loaded with cola, blackberry, licorice and chocolate. Dark as night on the finish, and ageable for a few years." - M.S. (9/1/2009)

92 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (2006 vintage):"Glass-staining ruby. Pungent scents of red and dark berry preserves are complicated by musky herbs, cracked pepper and potpourri, with a suave undercurrent of oak spices. Sweet, pliant blackberry and candied cherry flavors are framed by velvety tannins and given a tangy edge by a bright minerality that builds on the finish. This will reward patience but is pretty delicious right now." -Josh Raynolds (May/Apr 2009)